Standard Notation

Note Values

Rhythm vs. beat

The Beginning

Rhythm and beat are two very different things that get used interchangeably. They get very crossed in peoples' minds because they don't commonly exist without each other.

beat

The beginning of a piece of music always has 3 symbols. One of them can be invisible.

A beat is a steady pulse (like a heart beat). Anyone listening should be able to hear exactly when the next beat will happen (or at least have a very good idea of when). However, the beat can be flexible. It can speed up and slow down, but when this happens the relationship between beats should remain and be recognizable.

Clefs

rhythm

Clefs are the first symbol on a musical staff and are written on every staff (line).

Rhythm is simply short and long sounds or silences. Music can be defined as organized sound. If we use that definition then we are using the beat to organize the music. It's like using a measuring tape to build a piece of furniture. The beat is the measuring tape and the rhythm the dimensions of the furniture.

Clef are used to label just one line on the staff. By labeling just one line you should be able to label every line and space on the staff. That means you will know every note!

There are four clef that are in use today.

Key Signature

No clef? No problem! Non-pitched instruments (such as a drum) don't use pitches (of course). Therefore, they don't need a clef. They will usually have a symbol that looks like this.

Key signatures (the second symbol) are all different but easy to recognize. A key signature is a collection of sharps or flats (never both at the same time) found after the clef. This is the symbol that can be invisible because it is possible to have no sharps and no flats. The sharps or flats of a key signature are always found in a specific order.

Time Signatures and Measures

After the clef and the key signature (if it's not invisible) there will always be a time signature. The time signature will only be printed once unless it is changed. It will be made up of 2 numbers stacked on top of each other. Remember: this is not a fraction!

The top number is the number of beats in a measure, and this number can be anything.

Anything!

The bottom number tells us which note value will equal one beat, and it can only be a number that corresponds with note values such as a quarter note (4) or an eighth note (8).

Pitch and Rhythm

the math of music

At it's most basic, a note is simply a circle.

high pitch

When you look at standard notation you are looking at a chart. This chart tells you if notes are high or low (pitch)

low pitch

Italiano

and if they are short or long (rhythm).

Dynamics

loud and soft

The last thing we need to mention are word that might be found on a sheet of music.

Usually, these words are Italian. Other common languages include French and German, but literally any language can be used.

whole note

Note Values

half note

The dynamics (or volume) that music is play at is notated with letters or shapes. Shapes are pretty easy, and there are only a few letters you need to remember.

quarter note

eighth note

When you see this

Depending on where words are found they indicate different musical characteristics. For example, the words found at the beginning will indicate style and tempo (speed).

sixteenth note

the music is asking you to gradually get louder.

Name the different elements of standard notation.

thirty second note

When you see this

sixty fourth note

the music is asking you to gradually get softer or quieter.

Can I have a word?

Dynamics are the same as volume and we've always used the words "high and low" to describe volume. (Someone might say, "Turn that down" or "lower the volume.") However, "high and low" are already used to describe pitch, using the same words to describe volume gets confusing and it's a recipe for miscommunication. Be sure to use "loud and soft" when discussing dynamics.

Dynamics

Now with Letters!

Dynamic marking that use letters are also pretty simple. There are only 3 letters commonly used.

F is used for loud (short for forte which means strong).

P is used for soft (short for piano which means quiet).

M is never used by its self, only in front of P or F. It's short for mezzo which means medium.

Standard Notation